Black Judges on Justice: Perspectives from the Bench (New Press Law in Context) [Paperback]

Linn Washington (Author)

Book Description

Series: New Press Law in Context | Publication Date: April 15, 1998

Black Judges on Justice is the first book to present the views of leading African American judges on the way our judicial system works. From pioneers such as Leon Higginbotham and Constance Baker Motley (the first black female federal judge) to such outspoken and well-known mavericks as Bruce Wright, the testimony of these judges provides penetrating analysis of the role of the jurist, of the daily malfunctioning of the courts, and of the future of the judicial system itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fourteen black judges reflect on work and philosophy in interviews with Washington, executive editor of the Philadelphia Tribune and a former assistant to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. While the book's format leads to some overlap, the interviews are often candid and thoughtful. Fred Banks, of the Mississippi Supreme Court, notes that black judges bring to the system both legitimacy and the perspective of their socialization. While most of the comments on creative sentencing and the continuing impact of discrimination are unsurprising, some are more pointed. New York federal judge Henry Bramwell urges a stronger black work ethic and Joseph Brown Jr., criminal court judge of Shelby County (Memphis, Tenn.), laments the passing of men's "absolute control over the household." Retired federal appeals court judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. observes that law students are rarely taught the U.S. Supreme Court's ugly early cases involving blacks, but firebrand New York City trial court judge Bruce Wright ups the ante by arguing that all judges should pass tests in black history.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Washington, executive editor of the Philadelphia Tribune, provides extended interviews with 14 black U.S. jurists from federal, local, and state benches as well as from trial and appellate courts. He categorizes these judges as the Front Line, Pioneers, and the Future and shows how they offer differing perspectives on the justice system and society. The central themes are that no person is above the law, law is an instrument of social change, racism is part of American society, and reform of the criminal justice system is needed to lessen discrimination against blacks and others. High school students to adults will develop further knowledge of the U.S. judiciary by reading this excellent book.
Steven Puro, St. Louis Univ.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565844378
• ISBN-13: 978-1565844377
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,438,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for black and white readers., January 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Judges on Justice: Perspectives from the Bench (Hardcover)

The author interviews black male and female judges from the state and federal judiciary. The interviews are thought provoking and detailed. You are given a glimpse into each judge's perspective from the bench and, in most cases, afforded their political commentary. Most of the judges interviewed are cognizant of the historical racism present in our legal system. The judges are proud, intelligent and strive to set an example as jurists and as people of color. I was so very moved by this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome Analysis, October 5, 2008

By 

Royalite - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Judges on Justice: Perspectives from the Bench (New Press Law in Context) (Paperback)

This is one book that must be read by any African Americans interested in the legal system. It gives candid interviews with some of the most famous black lawyers and judges who express their feeling toward the American Justice system. The book shows a side of the legal system that no book before ever has and is worth the read.